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Design+ Building code app benefits for designers

are manually calculated, making them time-consuming
and error-prone. Other medical apps assist in calculating
proper drug dosages. These apps provide instant results
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and are often used multiple times a day by doctors. Based
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on these findings, similar technology could be used in
interior design for building code calculations to provide
professionals with instant and accurate results.

1.5. Interior design apps
In interior design, most apps mainly focus on augmented
reality (AR) to help visualize furniture in a physical
space. For instance, Pranav et al. developed an app that
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used AR to overlay virtual objects onto the real world,
allowing users to see how the object would look in the
physical world. Similarly, Dsouza et al. developed an
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AR application for visualizing interior decor to improve
decision-making. Sandu and Scarlat developed an AR
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app that scanned the room and allowed the removal of
existing objects and the placement of virtual objects to
help both clients and interior designers communicate
their designs.
Miri developed an app to help lighting designers, Figure 1. The International Code Council digital code application
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professionals, and students conduct lighting analysis,
allowing a quick and easy analysis compared to other costly errors. The app can calculate ice and water shield,
methods that are time-consuming and prone to errors. In waste, and ventilation requirements, and allows users to
addition, Atwal et al. explored occupational therapists’ create and share detailed reports (Figure 3).
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perspectives on the use of virtual reality interior design The Heights and Areas Calculator is an app that
applications to collaborate with patients in designing safe calculates the maximum allowable heights and areas
predischarge homes that met their needs. for buildings based on different occupancies and fire
protection requirements from the International Building
1.6. Current building code-related apps
Code. Figure 4 shows the basic and advanced forms of the
The Apple App Store and Google Play feature a few apps calculator.
related to building codes. For instance, the International Trax Codes is an app that digitizes the Ontario
Code Council developed a digital code app designed to Building Codes and the National Building Codes
eliminate navigating through multiple code books, offering of Canada, offering the Architect, Engineer, and
a faster way to search codes, organize notes, and collaborate Construction professionals easier, on-demand access to
more seamlessly (Figure 1).
up-to-date regulations, with the use of AI technology.
Building Tools is another example; this app displays Similarly, Building Codes Made Easier (Figure 5) is an
the Australian National Construction Codes through app for property and liability claims, restorations, and
interactive diagrams, as shown in Figure 2, to reduce costly legal professionals. This app helps legal professionals find
mistakes and increase efficiency. This app covers most of and understand codes by providing them with simple
the codes used by designers, except for the occupancy answers, responses to frequently asked questions, and the
load. It includes a critical icon feature that explains code ability to consult with code experts.
requirements, along with references from the National Despite advancements in automated compliance tools,
Construction Codebook. In addition, the app allows users there remains a gap in developing accessible building
to share code information with others and is available on code solutions for interior designers. Although there are
both platforms.
various attempts to create automated compliance checking
Another example is OneClick Code-Roofing Codes, an systems—such as the system by Nguyen and Kim, which
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app that provides quick access to roofing building codes utilized Autodesk Revit for collaborative compliance
across the United States. It helps roofing contractors, tracking—there are no apps designed to assist designers
insurance adjusters, and estimators save time and reduce with building code calculations. 16

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/DP025190025